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WAGS-ProQuest Innovation in Technology Award

Prize Amount: $250 and entrance in the WAGS-ProQuest competition as an official University of Utah nominee

For: all graduate students and graduates of the University of Utah who have successfully defended an eligible master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation are invited to apply. Nominees must have successfully defended and submitted their manuscripts between the dates of July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023.

Due: September 22, 2023

Each year, the Graduate School selects a master’s thesis or dissertation to represent the University of Utah in the Western Association of Graduate Schools (WAGS) Innovation in Technology Award competition. Winners of the Utah competition are awarded a cash prize and work with the Graduate School to prepare a competitive nomination packet for the WAGS awards.

Winners of the University of Utah nomination process will receive $250 from The Graduate School and will be entered in the WAGS competition as an official University of Utah nominee. 

Eligibility

This award is given for the development of an innovative technology in a thesis or dissertation and its utilization for the creative solution of a major problem.

  • All graduate students and graduates of the University of Utah who have successfully defended an eligible master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation.
  • Nominees must have successfully defended and submitted their final manuscripts between the dates of July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023.

Evaluation Criteria

  • Originality of the study
  • Scope and significance of the study
  • Contribution to the discipline and/or profession
  • Overall quality of the summary and abstract of the thesis or dissertation

Applications

Nomination packets must contain:

  1. Completed nomination form (link is below).
  2. A non-technical summary prepared by the student (1000-1500 words) describing the research and how it demonstrates or resulted in the development of innovative technology in the conduct of scholarship. This summary should be directed to a general academic audience of non-specialists.
  3. An abstract of the nominee’s research or project (not to exceed 10 double-spaced pages). Appendices containing nontextual material, such as charts or tables, may be included as additional pages. All pages should be numbered, and each should bear the name of the nominee.
  4. Two nomination letters (not to exceed 1 page per letter) One letter of recommendation from the department head or major professor and one letter from an additional faculty member. The letter should include information regarding the significance of the study, the contribution of the study to the program of the degree granting unit, and the broader impact(s) of the innovation on the knowledge base of the discipline.
  5. CV or resume of the nominee (not to exceed 5 pages).

Students who win the Utah nomination process will need to provide additional materials for the WAGS competition.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: September 22, 2023

Submit applications to the Graduate School Office

Innovation in Technology Award Nomination Form

Packets may also be mailed directly to:

The Graduate School (attention Holly Lumbert)
201 S President’s Circle #302
Salt Lake City, UT 84112

Last Updated: 9/5/23